Liverpool keen on another stunning Brazilian – report

You always hope that a new young signing can come in a do the business for your club straight away. But not even the most optimistic Liverpool fan could have expected Philipe Coutinho to settle in quite so well as he has at Anfield.

He looked a bit skinny on arrival but he has bulked up and shown superb poise and creativity as the season has gone on. His rise has been matched by the progression of his team who got another great result at the weekend.

But Brendan Rodgers looks like a man on the move. Noone needs to remind him of the reality and Liverpool can’t start boasting about a shift in the balance of power until the club starts winning things on a regular basis – particularly the league title.

Liverpool’s first eleven were awesome against Manchester United. But their squad is still comparatively thin and they will need serious reinforcements for the added diversion of Europe next season.

Liverpool and Chelsea could be set to battle it out for the signing of Hoffenheim’s Roberto Firmino after scouts from both clubs watched him score against Mainz at the weekend.

Reports in German newspaper Bild state the Premier League duo were keeping a close eye on the midfielder during Saturday’s 4-2 defeat and were impressed by his display.

The attacking midfielder, 22, has already played 98 times for Hoffenhaim since moving from Brazil in 2011. The remarkable statistic is that he’s scored 28 goals in that time – no mean feat for one so young and in such a competitive league as Germany.

For all Liverpool’s talents they are yet to find a long term replacement for Steven Gerrard. At 33 he still looks the business but his goal threat has been reduced by a deeper role that we always knew he would eventually fill for the club. Liverpool will need a goalscoring midfielder to succeed him and Firmino looks like a decent bet.